Before leaving for Semester At Sea Katie Dot gave me a list of her favorite places in Portugal. My friends and I were planning out our four days at the port and wanted to make our last port extra special. After reading a few guidebooks we agreed that Katie's list had the best suggestions and that we must go to Sintra. Sintra is west of Lisbon and only a 30 minute train ride away. We booked our hostel, packed our bags and hopped on a train. When we arrived in the main square of the village we were awe-struck. We had just stepped into the land of fairytales. Castles decorated the hillside and cobble stone streets wandered through a lush forest. After dropping off our bags we went to enchanting gardens in Palacio e Quinta de Regaleira. The gardens were magical and spectacular. We spent half a day getting lost on garden paths that were lined with blooming onion flowers and trickling streams. I can't put the garden's beauty and charm into words that would do it justice.
When we were children, my sisters and I would make fairy homes next to mossy rocks in our backyard. We would decorate the homes with flower beds, leaf cups and pebble tables. If I were 8 years old again, I would swear to you that this garden was the land of fairies. The garden had gorgeous gazeboes, small castles, green houses and tea houses. We discovered secret water caverns that were connected to caves that twisted under the garden. My friends and I loved the castle minarets and took plenty of "princess" photos. Unfortunately, while standing in the castle I did not find my Prince Charming- but when I do, I will demand that my wedding is held in this garden!! (Here's to hoping!)
After a day of exploration and fairytales we bought some baguettes, cheese, and local Vhino Verde and ate dinner in an orchard. As Taylor Swift would say, "Today was a fairytale."
~Tori
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